English football's first openly gay referee Ryan Atkin believes that while his coming out was a 'now or never' scenario, he still questions whether the environment is right for players.

Atkin made Eastbourne Borough vs Welling United his first match after coming out.

He will take charge of games in the National League North and South this season, as well as operating as a fourth official in Football League games.

Atkin, 32, made his announcement last week, and has been widely lauded with FA head of senior referee development Neale Barry calling it "an important moment in the game".

“I just thought ‘now’s the time. If I don’t do it now then it’s never going to happen, and I believe the game needs it’,” said Atkins, speaking to The Telegraph.

Ryan Atkin officiating (Image: ITV)

However, the Level 2B official, who has previously been an assistant official in the Championship, believes the environment at Premier League level believes his coming out is unlikely to be the start of something more just yet.

“The environment has to be inclusive. Within the refereeing fraternity, it is inclusive. Until the environment is right and it is inclusive, I don’t think players will feel comfortable to come out publicly.”

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Barry has spoken of Atkin’s coming out, saying: “Ryan’s declaration marks an important moment in the game and reinforces the fact that refereeing really is open to everyone.

“He believes people who are happy in their own skin perform better and I couldn’t agree more. Our role is to support all referees, aid their development, maximise their potential and, above all, help ensure their experiences are positive.”

But Atkin has warned against the consequences of not allowing someone within the sport, thinking of going public, to do so in their own right and applauds the FA for their work in looking to ensure a support network is in place for players who may be thinking the time is right to come out.

"It has to be right for them, and if it’s not right for them, it won’t be right for sport, because it’ll go wrong."